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2016 Trails Frame Buyers Guide

We as trail riders have a slight tendency to ride frames and parts a lot longer than we really should. It’s nothing for someone to show up in the woods still rocking a frame with an American bottom bracket and press fit headset, (Shawn Shoener, I’m looking in your direction). The thing about it is that both frames and parts really should be replaced every a few years. No one wants to find themselves in a twisted ball of metal and flesh because something catastrophically failed due to fatigue. Take a second to think about the forces and stress that riding trails puts frames and parts under. Also take a second to think about the ramifications of say your head tube blowing off while going full speed through a section. I’ve seen it happen before, and it’s not pretty. At the very least you should be diligent in checking your bike over for cracks and other tell tale signs of fatigue. If you do feel it’s time to replace that relic of a frame you’ve been trusting your life to with something new, we’ve assembled a list of seventeen frames that we’d consider worthy of doing the job.

Over the last few years the Colony Team has diversified to include some trail rippers such as Nathan Sykes and Anthony Napolitan. It’s no surprise that the Tradition frame is what you’ll find them aboard, considering it’s the only frame in Colony’s line that has a head tube angle south of 75°. With it’s slacker 74.5° head tube, longer backend, and higher standover height, I’d say the Tradition ticks the boxes for having what we consider the ideal geometry to consider it a trails frame. It even has super wide rear end for those of you who like to run big ol’ 2.4″ monster truck tires.

The TRF (Trails Race Frame) is Cult’s first foray into the trails world. With both Robbie Morales and Neal Wood behind it, you know the geometry is spot on. Drawing on inspiration from some of their previous signature frames, the TRF is built to be right at home in the woods.

The latest version of the PA Model is the first frame to come from Deluxe after their reboot. Even with the change in ownership, I don’t think Deluxe skipped a beat in the evolution of their frames. The PA Model takes everything we’ve grown to love and expect from a Deluxe frame, and adds in a few tasteful modern features like integrated chain tensioners, embossed PA logo detailing on the top gusset, and a sexy hourglass shaped head tube.

FBM’s venerable Steadfast has been a favorite amongst trail riders ever since the first ones left the welding table back in 2010. This year they freshened it up a bit with a few updates and geometry tweaks such as a quarter of a degree steeper head tube, taller standover height, and slimmed down tubing. Considering the fact that first batch was sold out before they were even done, I’d say they nailed it with the changes!

After an absence of a couple years, Fit’s BF Frame is back. We’ll kinda… They didn’t make that many of them this time around and a lot have already been snatched up. If you can get your hands on one you’ll have yourself the only frame out there with Brian Foster’s seal of approval!

Coming in at 11.35″, Chris Harti’s signature Fit Hartbreaker frame features the lowest bottom bracket height of any frame on this list. The idea was that the lower bottom bracket would help compensate for the higher overall ride height that comes along with running larger tires. Other than that, the geometry is pretty standard. You do get a lot of adjustability with the rear end length thanks to the longer drop out slots. Set it up anywhere between 13.8″ and 14.5″ and you’ll be ready to blast off like Chris.

Mike Aitken’s signature Fit Motomike frame has the steepest head tube angle of any frame that we looked at. A 75.25° head tube does sound a bit scary at first, but running a bigger tire up front and something smaller like a 2.1″ in the back would help balance out that steepness. That’s just my opinion though; you may be into a quicker handling bike and have no problem with it. Either way, it’s Mike Aitken’s signature ride and that makes it badass!

I could probably just say that Chris Doyle rides this and leave it at that. That’s a pretty hefty endorsement right there, but I will go ahead and elaborate a little bit more. The Mudrunner is Kink’s take on a modern-day trails frame. Classic geometry meets modern touches like investment cast dropouts, integrated chain tensioners, internal gussets, and clearance for big tires. It also comes with a head tube badge that’s so beautiful you may even consider putting it on something other than a Kink. Luckily for you they just so happen to sell it separately!

Robbo’s signature Mutiny frame bears the same name as the trails he calls his own. The Villij is a no nonsense trails machine with the clean aesthetics Mutiny is renowned for. While I certainly can’t guarantee that it will make you ride like Robbo, it may or may not help you get your kick outs tweaked a little bit further.

I think it’s safe to say that the C.C.R. is the most popular trails frame out right now, and rightfully so. Designed and endorsed by Clint Reynolds, built by S&M as part of their joint Credence line, the C.C.R. is the quintessential trails frame. This year’s version got a few updates in the way of new color options, a rad engraved head tube and the option to run your brake cable through the seat tube or around it. I don’t see this frame’s popularity waning anytime soon!

The M.O.D. is the Credence frame built for the apes out there needing something a little bit beefier than the C.C.R. Gussets on both the top and down tubes, 14mm dropout slots, removable brake hardware and a slightly steeper 74.5° head tube are the most noticeable differences. This is the frame that you’ll find Nutter and Matty aboard, so you know it’s tough!

Hucker’s one contest rider who is welcome at any trails anywhere in the world. As a matter of fact, I don’t think there’s a single person on earth who has anything bad to say about the guy. You know you’re in for a real show whenever he shows up, and his signature S&M frame is what he trust not to fall to pieces when he’s flipping, spinning or bar humping the biggest sets you’ve got.

In my opinion, Standard’s Trail Boss was the first true trails frame. Sure there were some frames before it that tried to fill that gap between the race and freestyle frames of the day, but the Trail Boss was the first one designed and built for the kind of riding that was going on in the woods of the East Coast in the mid to late 90s. Standard took the rear end from their race frame, beefed it up a bit, added some 990 mounts, combined it with a lengthened front end from their heavy duty STA frame, and boom, the Trail Boss was born. It was the frame a lot of people had been looking for, and Standard sold a shit ton of them. It’s been almost 20 years since the Trail Boss first made its debut and it’s still a fixture in Standard’s line. Of course it’s seen some updates over the years. The latest incarnation features Standard’s legendary OX Platinum tubeset, a mid bb and the option to customize the specs to your heart’s content.

The SFA is the signature Terrible One frame belonging to the man, the myth, the legend that is Garrett Byrnes. The latest version is built by S&M and is more dialed than ever. They can be a little bit elusive to hunt down, but find one and you’ll have one of the most badass frames around.

The “Prime Mover” frame is a collaboration between two rad companies, United and Bicycle Union. What they came up with is a frame with slim tubing, classic geometry, Skeletor on the graphics, and they threw in a Bicycle Union top tube pad just to up the radness factor. Like most collaborations, there’s only a limited number of these. Better get on it if you want to get your hands on one!

Knowing that us trail riders have an affinity for US made frames, United enlisted the help of the fine folks at FBM to build their TRU frames. Input on the specs came from the trails side of the United team, and what they came up with was spot on with the wants/needs of the modern day trail rider. There are only 100 of these bad boys worldwide, so if you happen upon the chance to pick one up, don’t hesitate to do so!

The Oxbridge is the joint signature frame of Verde’s Liam “Lima” Eltham and Matt Priest. We all know that both of those dudes can shred the hell out of some trails, so of course their frame is built to compliment the roasting of some dubs. Verde gave the Oxbridge a silver/black hammertone finish that’s both pleasing to the eye and is super durable. I know this because I once had a bike with the same finish.

Didn’t think I was going to include this one, now did ya? While my thoughts on it pretty much still remain the same, there’s no denying that the Patrol is one damn fine looking frame. I do have one question though! Did anyone actually win the one they were giving away a few months ago?